Shortly before I turned 30, I decided to leave the technology-consulting firm I was working for and start my own company with two business partners. Our idea was to create a better company with stronger values that served our clients best interests. This was my first entrepreneurial experience and I didn’t know what to expect. I had no idea if we would be successful, and I didn’t focus on the possibility of what could go wrong or how many new businesses fail. I thought if this didn’t work out in a year, I would just go out and find another job. Twelve years ago, I wasn’t conscious of the fact that I was stepping out on faith and trusting the unknown. I didn’t appreciate the risk I was taking because back then I was single, no children or mortgage. All I knew was that I was willing to eat cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner, not take taxi’s, and curb my shoe and handbag shopping in order to reduce my spending and stretch out the small dispersements we would be taking for ourselves. I knew the idea of this business and the environment I hoped to create sparked my spirit and that I could trust.
After owning the business for a little more than a decade, I decided it was time for me to leave. Now this time, I’m almost 40 years old and the rules have changed. I have a mortgage and a standard of living I had come to enjoy. I was in love with an amazing man, and we were making plans to move in together and purchase our first home together. A second mortgage would be added to my list of responsibilities. Yet I couldn’t escape from the knowing that during my time on this planet I was meant to do something greater and live “on purpose”. My thought process as I developed a business plan and marketing strategy for a new company where I would be the sole owner felt more focused and I was conscious of the risk. I was leaving a very successful business in an industry that continually thrives and evolves, plus we had captured a niche market within it. My new plan involved researching small business loans, structure of multiple, revenue streams, and asking myself while shoe and handbag shopping “While you might want this right now, do you need it?”. Many people told me I was crazy to start Life Design because of the economy, but I couldn’t ignore the energy I felt when I worked on developing my coaching and creative strategy. I always felt like a kid on Christmas Eve. It took me forever to fall asleep at night because my heart swirled with ideas, and I was wide-awake at 5:00 am ready to start my day. Oh my there was exhaustion, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
This past week I attended BookExpo where I had an opportunity to meet with agents, publicists, publishers, distributors, consultants and reviewers. Although I was there as a published author, something that kept me grinning from ear to ear, I felt like I was going to throw up. It was intense ~ my feelings, not those that I met. I went alone because for me this about living my dream. I am now a published author and I ain’t stopping at one book. Now I knew if I had asked my husband to go with me, he would have easily started conversations. Jim is the kind of man that can talk to anyone and he believes in me. Not a bad person to have on your team, let alone the added bonus of being married to this delicious man. But I had to do this for myself. It was about knowing this was a part of my divine plan and life purpose. There were many times I walked past the organization or person I was there to speak to several times before I sucked it up and struck up a conversation. My heart was in my throat, my stomach was in knots, and I couldn’t stop smiling. I spoke about my book projects and event/retreat ideas. I took them on a journey as I described my beliefs and philosophies. I expressed my willingness and passion to be a collaborator and co-creator in my writing dream. Courage and empowerment are the two words to most accurately describe what kept me going while my knees shook. I allowed myself to be vulnerable and I knew I was on the right course.
So often I am asked for the secret to knowing which dream is the right dream to pursue. Many of us, myself included, in the past have embraced the dreams of others as our own. I believe in some part of our being we knew this wasn’t our path, but it seemed safer and we weren’t alone. Of course there are the other times when we see what someone else has in their life and how happy they appear to be. We want what they’re having, but in the end it’s not really meant for us. Is there one right answer to the knowing which dream is truly ours? We’re all as unique as the answer to the question. We each have our unique way of understanding. For me, it’s when I’m scared, well outside of my comfort zone, and still saying yes. It’s about waking up before the sun is out and wanting to laugh and cry with joy over what I am manifesting. I live what I love and anything short of that is unacceptable. Here are some questions to ask yourself if you’re looking to test the validity of your dream(s):
√ Does your dream enliven you?
√ Is your dream aligned with your core values? (And if you don’t know your core values it’s time for some self-discovery.)
√ Do you need help to make this dream come true? (Have you dreamed big enough?)
√ Will this dream require you to grow and live your absolute truth without apology?
√ Will this dream make a difference and benefit others?
We all deserve to live the beauty of our dreams. How will you embrace this truth?
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